Process and apparatus for setting nails in elongated members



Nov. 25, 1969 M. 0. GROAT 3,479,734

PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR SETTING NAILS IN ELONGATED MEMBERS Filed Jan. 16. 1967 3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

I N VEN TOR.

Marsha/l Q Groa/ BY w, M fi aw Af/amgys Nov. 25, 1969 M. o. GROAT PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR SETTING NAILS IN ELONGATBD MEMBERS 3 SheetsSheet 2 Filed Jan. 16, 1967 "INVENTOR. ans/roll 0. 6mm

, M VM Affomgys Nov. 25, 1969 PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR SETTING M O. GROAT NAILS IN ELONGATED MEMBERS Filed Jan. 16. 1967 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 & 152 2 1 2 I @Jif I INVENTOR.

Marshal/"'0. Gram Affarmgya 3,479,734 Patented Nov. 25, 1969 3,479,734 PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR SETTING NAILS IN ELONGATED MEMBERS Marshall 0. Groat, Fort Payne, Ala., assignor to Kingsberry Homes Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Filed Jan. 16, 1967, Ser. No. 609,447 Int. Cl. B23p 19/02, 19/00; B27f 7/00 US. Cl. 29--525 3 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Background of the invention Heretofore in the art to which my invention relates it has been the usual practice to apply nails to elongated structural members, such as bottom and top plates for building walls, by marking off the longitudinal spacing of the nail members and then, with the stud members therebetween, hand drive the nails into place. This not only takes a considerable amount of time and effort but the nails are not always positioned accurately at the desired locations.

Brief summary of invention In accordance with my present invention. I move the elongated members, such as plate members, to position the predetermined nail locations thereon sequentially in alignment with and between a hole boring tool and a nail driving unit. Holes are then drilled into the elongated members in alignment with the nail driving unit whereby upon movement of the nail driving unit toward the elongated member, the nails areldriven into the elongated members.

Apparatus embodying features of my invention and which may. be employed to carry out my improved process is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this application, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view, partly broken away;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, sectional view taken generally along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view'taken generally along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmental view taken generally along the line 4 '4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a fragmental sectional view taken generally along the line 5-5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmental View showing the elongated member as having longitudinally spaced conductive members secured to a side thereof in position to engage contact elements which in turn deenergize the driving mechanism for the conveyor;

FIG. 7 is a wiring diagram for my improved apparatus;

FIG. 8 is a fragmental view showing a modified form of my invention in which conductive elements are carried by an elongated flexible member which in turn is secured to the elongated member into which the nails are driven; and

FIG. 9 is a fragmental View showing a further modified form of my invention in which an outwardly projecting detent is carried by a driving part of the conveying apparatus in position to engage a control member upon movement of the predetermined nail locations into alignment with the hole boring and nail driving units.

Referring now to the drawings for a better understandng of my invention, I show a supporting frame 10 having a horizontal table-like surface 11, as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2. Mounted on the table-like member 11 and extending longitudinally thereof are a pair of elongated members 12 and 13 which are generally rectangular, as viewed in cross sections, as shown in FIG. 2. Mounted between the elongated members 12 and 13, as shown in FIG. 2, is an elongated member 14 which is of an inverted U-shape, as viewed in cross section, and is provided with depending legs 16 and 17 which are secured to the plate-like member 11. As shown in FIG. 2, the elongated members 12 and 13 are spaced outwardly from the elongated member 14 to define spaces therebetween for receiving upper flights of conveyor chains 18 and 19. A plurality of longitudinally spaced shafts 21 extend through suitable openings in the vertical flanges of the elongated members 12, 13 and 14, as shown in FIG. 2. Mounted for rotation on the shafts 21 are rollers 22 which support the upper flights of the conveyor chains 18 and 19, as shown.

Each conveyor chain 18 and 19 carries a plurality of longitudinally spaced, upstanding brackets 23 which are in position to engage the ends of the elongated members 24 into which the nails are to be driven, such as elongated structural plate members. The conveyor chains 18 and 19 are supported in a conventional manner and pass around suitable idler sprockets 26, only one of which is shown. As shown in FIG. 1, the conveyor chains 18 and 19 pass over drive sprockets 27 which are operatively connected to a fluid clutch unit 28 which in turn is driven by a drive shaft 29. Rotary motion is imparted to the drive shaft 29 by a sprocket 31 which is connected to a sprocket 32 by a drive chain 33. The sprocket 32 is mounted on a shaft 34 of a motor 36. Fluid is supplied to the fluid clutch 28 by a fluid line 37, as shown in FIG. 1.

Elongated, angle members 38 and 39 are mounted on the elongated members 12 and 13, respectively, as shown in FIG. 2, in position to engage the outer surface of the elongated members 24 carried by the chains 18 and 19. Also, elongated angle members 41 and 42 are carried by the elongated member 14 in position to engage the inner sides of the elongated members 24. Accordingly, the angle members 38, 39, 41 and 42 engage the sides of the elongated members 24 to maintain them in parallel alignment with each other.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, a staple-like element 43 formed of an electrically conductive material is attached to the sides of the elongated members 24 in alignment with the predetermined locations at which the nails are to be driven. That is, the staple elements 43 are mounted at longitudinally spaced intervals which correspond to the longitudinal spacing between the nails. Since both elongated members 24 are conveyed forwardly by the upstanding members 23, the elongated members are in parallel and transverse alignment with each other where'- by it is necessary to employ the staple elements 43 only on one elongated member 24, as shown in-FIG. 4..

Mounted on the elongated member 13 in transverse alignment with the point at which the nails are to-beapplied are a pair of contact points 44 and 46 which are mounted in a control unit 47. As shown in FIG. 7, the contacts 44 and 46 are operatively connected to power supply lines 48 and 49, respectively. A master switch 51 is provided in the power supply line 48 for deenergizing' the apparatus. Mounted in series within the power supply line 48 are electrical relay units 52 and 53 having normally open switches 54 and 56, respectively. The relay unit 52 is operatively connected to a normally closed switch 57 whereby the switch 57. is opened each timethe switch.54

of relay 52 is closed. The switch 57 is in circuit with a line 58 which supplies current to a control unit 28a for the fluid clutch 28. The other side of the control unit 28a is connected to an electrical supply line 59. It'will thus be seen that each time a conductive staple element 43 engages the contacts 44 and 46, current is supplied to the relays 52 and 53 whereupon switches 54 and 56 are closed to form a holding circuit and at the same time the switch 57 is opened to break the circuit to the control unit 28a for the fluid clutch 28 whereby the fluid clutch is deenergized to thus stop the chains 18 and 19.

Vertical guides 61 and 62 are carried by the supporting frame 10, as shown in FIG. 2. Mounted for sliding movement on the vertical guides 61 and 62 are slide members 63 and 64 of a drill support frame indicated generally at 66. Preferably, a dovetail joint 65 is provided between the vertical guides 61 and 62 and the slides 63 and 64, as shown in FIG. 3. The drill support frame 66 carries transversely spaced drill units 67, 68, 69 and 71 having drive shafts 72, 73, 74 and 75, respectively. The drive shafts are mounted for rotation in suitable bearings and power is supplied thereto by a sprocket and drive chain unit indicated generally at 76. Power is supplied to the drive chain by a fluid pressure operated motor 77 having a drive sprocket 78. Each drill unit 67, 68 and 69 and 71 carries a rotary drill element 79 which is in position to drill a vertical hole through the elongated member 24 positioned thereabove. Fluid under pressure is supplied to the motor 77 by suitable conduits 81.

Upstanding brackets 82 and 83 are mounted at each side of the elongated members 12 and 13, as shown in FIG. 2. Mounted for rotation in the support brackets 82 and 83 is a transverse shaft 84 which carries downwardly extending clamping elements 86, as shown in FIG. 5, which are in position to engage the upper surfaces of the subjacent members 24 and thus hold the members 24 in a fixed position. Secured to one end of the shaft 84 is a depending arm 87 having its lower end connected by a pivot pin 88 to a piston rod 89 of a fluid pressure operated cylinder 91. The fluid pressure operated cylinder 91 is actuated by a control unit 92 which is connected at one side by a lead 93 to one side of switch 56 of the relay 53. The other side of the control unit 92 is connected by a lead 94 to power supply line 59 whereby power is supplied to the control unit 92 each time the conductive element 43 engages the contacts 44 and 46 to thus clamp the members 24 in place.

I employ a conventional type nail supply unit indicated generally at 96 which comprises a nail hopper 97 and nail supply tubes 98 which have the usual telescoping sections which permit the upper portion of the nail supply tube to vibrate relative to the lower section of the nail supply tube 98.

Mounted for vertical movement along vertical guides 99 at opposite sides of the supporting frame are vertical slides 101 which support a conventional type nall bar indicated generally at 102. As shown in FIG. 2, the nails, indicated at 100, extend outwardly from the lower ends of the tubes 98 in vertical alignment with the drill elements 79 whereby the nails are adapted to enter the holes drilled by the drill elements 79. The drill supporting frame 66 is connected to the piston rod 103 of a flu d pressure operated cylinder 104 whereby the drill units may be raised to drill the holes in the elongated members 24, the holes being indicated at 105 in FIG. 4. Fluid is supplied to and exhausted from the cylinder 104 by conduits 110 and 110a.

Secured to the side members 101 at opposite sides of the nail bar 102 are upstanding rods 106 having adjustable spring abutments 107 secured to the upper ends thereof, as shown in FIG. 1. The upper end of each rod 106 extends through a suitable opening provided in a slidlng bracket 108 which is adapted for sliding movement In vertical guideways 109. A compression spring 111 positioned between each spring abutment 107 and a hori: zontal flange 112 carried by the slide bracket 108.

Each bracket 108 is connected by a pivot pin 113 to a downwardly extending rod 114 which carries at its lower end a cam follower 116. The lower portion of the rod 114 extends through a sleeve 117 which is mounted for pivotal movement relative to a supporting bracket 118 whereby the cam follower 116 is held in engagement with a cam 119 which is carried by a shaft 121. Mounted on the shaft 121 is a gear 122 which meshes with a gear 123 carried by a fluid clutch 124. Power is imparted to the fluid clutch 124 by a chain and sprocket unit 126 which is operatively connected to a motor 127. Fluid is supplied to the fluid clutch 124 by a suitable conduit 128.

Interposed between the lines 58 and 59 are limit switches 129, 131, 132 and 133 which are operatively connected to control units 129a, 131a, 132a and 133a, respectively. The limit switch 129 is mounted in position to be engaged by the depending arm 87 upon movement of the clamps 86 into engagement with the plate 24, as shown in FIG. 5. Upon closing the limit switch 129, the control unit 129a actuates a suitable valve to introduce fluid under pressure through conduit into cylinder 104 whereby the drill frame 66 is moved upwardly toward the plate 24. As the drill frame 66 moves upwardly, limit switch 131 is actuated whereupon control unit 131a causes fluid under pressure to be introduced through conduit 81 to fluid motor 77 whereby the drill units 67, 68, 69 and 71 are rotated to thus drill openings through the plates 24 as the frame 66 continues its upward movement. As the frame 66 reaches its uppermost position, it actuates limit switch 132 which introduces fluid adjacent the upper end of cylinder 104 through a line 110a whereby fluid is exhausted through conduit 110 to thus lower the drill frame 66. As the drill frame 66 reaches its lowermost position, it engages and actuates limit switch 133 whereupon its control unit 133a energizes fluid clutch 124 whereby gear 123 drives gear 122 to thus impart rotation to the cam 119. The cam 119 is so constructed as to permit the nail bar 102 to be lowered after removal of the drill members 79 from the holes bored in plates 24. Continued rotation of the cam 119 raises the nail bar 102 after the nails have been driven into the plate 24. As the nail bar 102 reaches the upper limit of its travel, it engages and actuates limit switch 134 which is in circuit with the power supply line 48 whereupon the supply of power to the relays 52 and 53 is interrupted whereupon switches 54 and 56 are moved to their normally open positions, as shown in FIG. 7. As switch 54 is opened, switch 57 is closed to thus energize the clutch 28 whereupon the conveyor chains 18 and 19 are again driven to move the plates 24 longitudinally whereby the electrically conductive members 43 move out of engagement with the contacts 44 and 46 to thus start another cycle of operation. Limit switch 134 is of the type which is momentarily opened and is then returned to closed position to thus supply current through the supply line 48 to the relays 52 and 53 upon engagement of the contacts 44 and 46 with the next electrically conductive member 43.

In FIG. 8 of the drawings, I show a modified form of my invention in which the electrically conductive members 43 are carried by a flexible tape-like member 136 which is secured to a side of the plate 24. The conductive members 43 are positioned at predetermined, spaced intervals along the tape 136 whereby the exact location at which the nails are to be applied is indicated on the plate 24 as it is fed through the apparatus as described hereinabove.

In FIG. 9 of the drawings, I show a still further modified form of my invention in which an outwardly projecting detent 137 is carried by conveyor chain 19 in position to engage an actuating member 138 of a control unit 139 whereby current is supplied to the relays 52 and 53 as described hereinabove upon engagement of the detent 137 with the member 138. The detents 137 are positioned at longitudinally spaced intervals along the chain 19 so as to correspond with the spacing of the nail locations along the plate 24, as described above.

From the foregoing description, the operation of my improved apparatus and the manner in which the nails are set at predetermined locations will be readily understood. The electrically conductive members 43 are positioned on the side of the plate 24 by attaching the same directly thereto or by employing the tapes 136. Also, other suitable means may be employed to complete the circuit to the relays 52 and 53, such as by providing the detents 137 on a movable part of the apparatus. As the contacts 44 and 46 engage a conductive member 43, current is supplied to the relay 52 and 53 to thus close switches 54 and 56 and open switch 57 whereupon clutch 28 is deenergized to stop movement of the conveyor chains 18 and 19. Upon closing switch 56 of relay 53, current is supplied to control unit 92 whereupon the clamps 86 are moved into engagement with the plates 24 to thus secure the same in place. As the arms 87 carried by clamps 86 are moved toward the left, as viewed in FIG. 5, limit switch 129 is actuated to start upward movement of the drill frame 66. As the drill frame 66 moves upwardly, it engages and actuates limit switch 131 which causes fluid to be introduced into fluid motor 77 to thus impart rotation to the drills as the drill frame 66 continues its upward movement, whereby openings 105 are drilled in plates 24. As the drill frame 66 reaches its uppermost position, it engages and actuates limit switch 132 which causes fluid to be introduced into the opposite end of cylinder 104 to thus lower the drill frame 66. As the drill frame 66 reaches its lowermost position, it engages and actuates limit switch 133 which in turn energizes fluid clutch 124 to start rotation of the cam 119 whereupon the nail bar 102 is lowered to drive the nails into the openings 105. Continued rotation of the cam 119 causes the nail bar 102 to be raised after the nails have been driven into the plate 24 whereupon the drill bar engages and actuates limit switch 134 as it reaches its uppermost position. Limit switch 134 momentarily breaks the circuit to the relays 52 and 53 to thus cause switches 54 and 56 to be opened whereupon the clamps 86 are released and the clutch 28 is energized to move the plates 24 longitudinally whereby the conductive member 43 moves out of engagement with the contacts 44 and 46. As the contacts 44 and 46 engage the next conductive member 43, the cycle of operation is repeated.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that I have devised an improved process and apparatus for setting nails at predetermined longitudinally spaced locations along an elongated member. By providing indexing means that actuates control mechanism which stops longitudinal movement of the elongated members and then causes an opening to be drilled therethrough for receiving the nails, together with means for driving the nails into the openings and then restarting the cycle of operation, I provide apparatus which is trouble free in operation and accurately positions the nails at predetermined locations.

While I have shown my invention in several forms, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible of various other changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof, and I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereupon as are specifically set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In apparatus for setting nails at predetermined longitudinally spaced locations along an elongated member including a nail supply and driving unit, the improvement which comprises:

(a) a conveyor unit disposed to move the elongated member longitudinally,

(b) a power unit operatively connected to said conveyor unit for driving said conveyor unit,

(c) conductive members carried by said elongated members at longitudinally spaced intervals corresponding to the longitudinal spacing of said predetermined locations along said elongated member,

(d) electrical contacts mounted in position to be engaged sequentially by said conductive members and operatively connected to said power unit to interrupt movement of said conveyor unit each time a conductive member engages said contacts to align said predetermined locations thereon sequentially with the nail driving unit,

(e) releasable clamping means disposed to clamp said elongated member in place while said predetermined locations are in alignment with said driving unit,

(f) a boring tool spaced from and mounted in alignment with said nail driving unit,

(g) means to impart relative movement between said boring tool and said elongated member while said elongated member is clamped in place to make holes in said elongated member at said predetermined location for receiving said nails,

(h) means to impart relative movement between said nail driving unit and said elongated member to force nails into said holes in the elongated member, and

(i) means to energize said power unit after the nails are forced into said holes in the elongated member.

2. In apparatus for setting nails as defined in claim 1 in which a clutch control unit is connected to said power unit and is operatively connected to said electrical contacts to interrupt movement of the conveyor unit each time a conductive member engages said contacts.

3. In apparatus for setting nails as defined in claim 1 in which the conductive members are carried by a flexible member which is attached to said elongated member.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,383,497 7/1921 Sylvester 227-69 2,649,954 8/1953 Nawman 198-198 2,669,714 2/1954 Newcomb 227-99 2,722,684 11/ 1955 Schmied 2272 JOHN F. CAMPBELL, Primary Examiner R. J. CRAIG, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

